English amateur Matthew Fitzpatrick had mixed emotions after beginning his US Open Championship campaign with a one over par 71.
The reigning US Amateur Champion is playing with defending champion Justin Rose and American Phil Mickelson for the first two rounds at Pinehurst – his last appearance before turning professional – but never looked overawed and at one stage was in second place on two under par.
Three bogeys in the last six holes – he had a penalty shot at the 17th – took the shine off an otherwise sterling round, leaving the 19 year old with bittersweet feelings.
“I’m pleased and disappointed at the same time,” said the former Walker Cup player, who won the silver medal at last year’s Open Championship.
“To get under par really was quite nice, and it would have been good to just steady out the rest of the day. But it was a bit up and down.”
Followed by huge crowds, Fitzpatrick would have been forgiven for being daunted by the prospect of playing alongside Mickelson and Rose, but was overwhelmingly positive about the experience.
“I found out before the draw was made that I’d be playing with Justin and Phil,” he said. “I think it’s tradition that the defending US Open champion plays with the US Amateur Champion. It was great.
“They were both positive with me and about me. If I hit a good shot, I heard them say, ‘Good shot’. It was nice to have that support from two fantastic players. I don’t feel l like I can compete with them just yet. Obviously they're fully grown men and they've been on Tour for years and know what they're doing.
“I just want to develop my game to try to be as good as them.”
Of his one shot penalty on the eighth hole – his 17th – he added: “The ball was sort of set up fairly nicely. I just pressed my club down a little bit and caught the grass along with it moving, and the ball touched my club, as well.
“I called the referee over just to confirm that I replace the ball rather than play it from where it finished.”
